Federal investigators have launched a probe of 150,000 Stellantis vehicles after receiving numerous reports that their mild hybrid engines can unexpectedly stall out. In some cases, owners find it difficult to then restart the vehicles. More from Headlight.News.
The 2022 Jeep Wagoneer is one of the two models targeted by the new probe.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched a preliminary probe looking into owner complaints that some Jeep and Ram models equipped with mild hybrid engines may unexpectedly stall out.
About 80 consumer reports have been filed with NHTSA so far. Owners said their engines stalled out, often at low speeds. In some cases, the vehicles would then prove difficult to restart.
A total of 150,000 vehicles are covered by the preliminary investigation. If NHTSA determines there is a problem it could lead to a recall of the affected vehicles.
A previous recall
The Ram 1500 was involved in an earlier recall due to engine stalling.
Stellantis, the parent of the Jeep and Ram brands, already recalled 131,000 Ram pickups and Jeep Wagoneers to address stalling issues last April. At the time, the automaker blamed the issue on problems with the air-fuel mixture going into the engine. An overly rich mix could cause the vehicles to stall.
The current issue appears to involve a different problem, Stellantis pointing to a potential electric problem.
All of the models covered by the probe are equipped with the automaker’s 5.7-liter Hemi e-Torque powertrain.
What’s the e-Torque?
The e-Torque mild hybrid engine.
It’s generally known as a “mild” hybrid. More conventional hybrids, such as the familiar Toyota Prius, combine an internal combustion engine with one or more electric motors. The electric side of the drivetrain recapture energy during braking an coasting, storing it in a modest-sized battery pack. Under hard acceleration, and even while cruising, the motors provide power to the wheels, reducing fuel consumption.
Mild hybrids use even smaller battery packs and typically provide power through a combined starter-generator. They provide only moderate boosts in horsepower but can add 100 pound-feet of torque, or more, largely to assist in launching a vehicle like the Jeep Wagoneer.
More auto safety news
- Study: Driver Assist Systems Aren’t Improving Safety
- UN Global Safety Campaign Addresses “Pandemic” of Highway Fatalities
- IIHS Tightens Requirements for Top Safety Picks
The vehicles affected
The new NHTSA probe focuses on several different Stellantis models, including the Ram1500 pickup trucks and Jeep Wagoneer SUVs. All were produced during the 2022 model year.
Owners may experience a sudden shutdown of their engines. The vehicles will then shift into Park and then automatically apply the emergency brake. An engine warning light signaling a battery fault will then light up, according to the complaints NHTSA received. In some cases, owners said they could not get the vehicles to restart.
Stellantis said it is cooperating with NHTSA. If a recall is ordered repairs would normally be made at no cost to owners.
0 Comments